The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Zachary's naive yet blunt words pierced my heart like a needle.

In his moment of illness and vulnerability, he was still thinking of the woman who had caused him to become sick.

I looked down at him.

He was clearly exhausted after his stomachache, as he had fallen asleep again after saying that.

Steven must have heard Zachary's words, too. He took my hand. "Honey."

I felt no inclination to respond. I instinctively wanted to pull away.

However, Steven tightened his grip, not allowing me to withdraw. "Today was just an accident. Mom acted without consulting us, and Zachary was sick. He didn't mean what he said."

"I can understand him," I replied, holding Zachary as I started to walk toward the exit. "He likes Jessica now. Of course, he's going to think she's wonderful."

After a pause, I continued, "Since I banned him from contacting her, his resistance will be strong at first. But Zachary isn't a bad kid. I'll guide him back to understanding who truly cares for him. "But I hope you can keep your word. I can overlook today's incident as a mistake, but I don't want there to be a next time."

As I spoke, I stopped.

Fearing I would tire myself, Steven took Zachary from my arms. "I promise that I'll do better, honey."

I looked at the sleeping child in Steven's arms and fell silent.

...

Steven parked the car when we arrived home. Seeing Zachary peacefully asleep, I didn't want to wake him up.

Just as I was about to carry him inside, Steven was already standing by the passenger door. His voice was soft as he said, "I'll do it."

Then, he effortlessly lifted Zachary with one hand while extending the other toward me.

aback, I

over his tall frame and handsome features, making him seem almost like a

and stepping out of the

Steven gently placed Zachary

the same time, I took a small basin of warm water to his room. Steven helped by removing Zachary's clothes and wringing out a washcloth to bathe

up even as I finished drying him off and dressed him in his pajamas. He would grunt occasionally,

tossed the towel into the basin and left the room with the

remained seated at the edge of the bed,

and lashed out before I could even respond calmly. The only times we seemed to coexist peacefully were when he was asleep. "Honey." Steven approached and

around his neck and stared

with his elbow and closed Zachary's bedroom door. "Do you remember

to the hospital. But I remembered everything

then, I thought about how Jessica was already causing trouble for Zachary even before Steven and I had divorced. What would happen after the divorce? Would Zachary

our family fall apart for

thoughts. I struggled to remember what had happened before going to

forgetful." Steven closed the bedroom door.

tone of intimacy

playful as

to want to tease me, but I wasn't about

eyes, my reflection

long hair spilled like a waterfall over the white sheets. My cheeks, flushed from our kiss, glowed with a vibrant charm. Steven swallowed hard.

...

by exhaustion that night,

just been admitted to the hospital due to stomach

to rise early and prepare

then switched to low to let it simmer. Glancing at

and chopped everything. I only started

was sautéed vegetables, and the

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